Monday, July 9, 2012

Femininity

As the darkness of sin and evil seem to be sweeping across our nation,

a thinking woman must wonder;

what can I possibly do about it?

You can be a city set on a hill...

just by being who God created you to be.

Here are some thoughts inspired by Emily Barnes:

Being a woman created by God is such a privilege,

and the gift of our femininity

is something we can give both to ourselves and those around us.

I believe that our society is hungering to be transformed by the

loveliness

and grace

of Biblical femininity.

What better antidote to a violent and pain filled culture

than warm

and gentle

feminine strength?

What better cure for poverty and filth

than a love of beauty and a confidence

in one's ability to make things lovely?

What better hope for the future than a

nurturing mother's heart that is

more concerned for the next generation

than its own selfish desires?

All these qualities:

gentle strength,

love of beauty,

care and nurturing,

are part of the essence of femininity.

"In quietness and trust is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

As Emily Barnes says so aptly in her book, The Heart of Loveliness:

"To me a godly woman is one who possesses inner peace and tranquility;

she doesn't have to prove herself to anyone.

She is strong, and yet she does not use her strength to control or dominate people,

neither does she depend on recognition from others.

Hers is an inner contentment and satisfaction based not on accomplishments, position, or authority,

but on a deep awareness of God's eternal and personal love for her.

That kind of inner peace, strength confidence and tranquility comes from depending on God;

drawing on His wisdom and strength,

learning to be like Him.

When this happens in our lives,

we gradually grow free of anxious competitiveness and aggressiveness.

We no longer need to prove our worth and value

because we now how much we are worth in God's sight...

and then, we are free to reach out in love to others.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornments such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes, instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

1 Peter 3:3,4

As we set forth to cultivate femininity in our homes,

let us think not only of ourselves, but of the darkness of the nation creeping in around us.

We are, in part, the answer..

for as we shine forth God's truth, acted out in our lives,

we will be like a city set on a hill.

For darkness does not take away light, but only deepens as the light grows dim.

And the light of one woman radiating the love of Christ, can lessen the darkness where ever she goes. May you and your beautiful daughters continue to radiate who God had created you to be and to share His love to all who cross your paths. Staci, Stubborn Hill Farm

God loves you!

...and is pleased with you because you are his child.

Not because of anything you do, how well you keep house, how good your kids are, how gifted or skilled you are. I encourage you to be still. Quietly slow down your pace, enjoying the beauty in each moment. Make the eternal your priority, your focus.